Visit the Most Advanced Missile Staging the World in Vietnam

22 Juni 2011

S-300: distance detection is 300 km, destroying targets in close range is 5 km, the distance is 150 km distance, altitude 27,000 m and the lowest is 10 meters. (all photos : Quansuvn/QDND)

Air Defense - Air Force recently held for the union officials, journalists and news agencies, press relations and sightseeing air workout recombinant S-300PMU1 missile air defense mission of the 64 - 361 air defense divisions.

Sports teams have to stand between the sun to see the training unit, but the sun is not up to the top of the dump fire drills have been completed since the process started and controlled combination of S-300 PMU1 operation takes only a few minutes.

S-300PMU1 System is not missiles range produced by the Russian Federation, is considered the most sophisticated appearance on the world arms market today. (The system owns Russian S-400, more modern S-300 but not exported. It is expected that the next time, Russia will complete the research and manufacture of air defense systems S-500, more modern , has a range of warfare in space).

Compare features with the U.S. Patriot missile, the S-300 PMU1 remarkable, as the farthest distance to destroy, destroy the highest altitude, velocity target the largest extinction; weight of the warhead, protected area coverage of air defense weaponry S-300 PMU1 also larger.

The complex missile defense system is not dynamic, multi-channel used to destroy all means of modern air raid of the enemy in the present and future, including strategic aircraft and tactics, the kind of strategic ballistic missiles, campaign-strategy at all elevations, velocities, under all conditions with intense noise and the technical tricks, different tactics.


Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Thanh - Doan Doan 64 air defense - said receiving unit has several weapons this year. Equipped with a combination of non determination of the Party, State and people, are receiving and using the most modern weapons was an honor and responsibility of the unit.

To master modern weaponry, the unit outside officials to study in your country of access to scientific and technological world while improving accountability, academic research, creative application of scientific and public technology, combat readiness, to cope with the situations occurring in the air, protecting the skies of Hanoi capital and the north.

With these weapons, air defense forces to preserve the peace of mind the sky of the country.

(DatViet)

China's First Aircraft Carrier To Begin Sea Trials

22 Juni 2011

China's aircraft carrier (photo : Xinhua)

HONG KONG - China's first aircraft carrier - a remodeled Soviet-era vessel - will go on sea trials next week, a report said June 21, amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

China's top military official reportedly confirmed earlier this month that Beijing is building a huge aircraft carrier, the first acknowledgement of the ship's existence from China's secretive defense program.

The Hong Kong Commercial Daily, which broke the story of the vessel's confirmation, quoted unnamed military sources saying the carrier will go on sea trials on July 1 but will not be officially launched until October 2012.

The sources said the test has been expedited in view of rising tensions in the South China Sea - home to two potentially oil-rich archipelagos, the Paracels and Spratlys - in recent weeks.

China's military "hopes it will show the strength of the Chinese maritime forces to deter other nations, which are eyeing the South China Sea, in order to calm tensions," the sources said.

They added that the sea trial date was also picked to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party but noted that factors such as weather could affect the planned test run.

China's military did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Tensions between Beijing and other rival claimants to the strategically vital South China Sea have heightened recently.

J-15 shipborned aircraft wih folding wing and tailhook (photo : Scramble)

China has claimed mineral rights around the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea and argued that foreign navies cannot sail through the area without Beijing's permission.

In September, Japan and China also clashed over the disputed Senkaku Islands, known as the Diaoyu Islands in China, located in the East China Sea.

But Chinese officials have previously said that its first aircraft carrier would not pose a threat to other nations, in accordance with Beijing's defensive military strategy.

The Chinese aircraft carrier plan was confirmed when the chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, Chen Bingde, confirmed the ship's existence in an interview with the Hong Kong paper.

He said the 990-foot former Soviet carrier, originally called the Varyag, was being overhauled. The ship is currently based in the northeast port of Dalian.

An expert on China's military has reportedly said the carrier would be used for training and as a model for a future indigenously-built ship.

The Varyag was originally built for the Soviet navy but construction was interrupted by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The PLA - the largest army in the world - is hugely secretive about its defense programs, which benefit from a large military budget boosted by the nation's runaway economic growth.

(DefenseNews)

Singapore Submarines Programmes

21 Juni 2011

Archer class submarine (photo : Cyberpioneer)

The RSN Maritime Power for Island Nation : Key Programmes Submarines

The acquisition of submarines and frigates by the RSN were the key programmes that define the current shape of the service. Submarines became a major interest for the RSN in. the 1980s, driven in part by the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) commissioning two Type 209-1300 submarines in 1981. While the RSN could see the possibilities that a submarine could offer, it was in no position to consider such a capability, as it was still far too early in the evolution of the RSN, there was not the money to support such a programme and there were not the personnel resources for such a programme.

In the 1990s that situation changed and the RSN was able to move forward on its plan to add a submarine capability by acquisitions from the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN). The former RSwN submarine HMS Sjoormen was purchased in 1995 to provide a training asset to for the RSN to develop an operational submarine capability. Sjoormen was subsequently refurbished and refitted by Kockums in Karlskrona, Sweden for the operational and environmental conditions it would meet in Singapore waters. The submarine was then commissioned into the RSN as RSS Challenger in 1997.

With more surplus RSwN submarines available, the RSN was able to consider expanding the scope of the submarine force development plan, leading to the acquisition the four remaining units of the Sjoormen class in Sweden, that would become the Challenger class in Singapore. Of the four submarines purchased, three were refurbished and refitted by Kockums, with RSS Conqueror and RSS Centurion being commissioned into the RSN in 1999, and RSS Chieftain being commissioned in 2001. The fourth submarine, the former. HMS Sjohasten, became a source of spares to support the four operational Challenger class submarines in service.

A26 type submarine (image : Kockums)

Therefore between 1997 and 2001, the RSN had commissioned a submarine force, 171 Squadron, of four submarines. Even so, it was obvious that the Challenger class was not the long-term solution for RSN submarine requirements, all of these units had originally been commissioned into the RSwN in 1968/69. What the Challenger class would do is provide the RSN with invaluable experience of submarine operations and support. This would allow the RSN to carefully plan its move to select and bring into service a long-term solution to its submarine needs.

The RSN perception of possibilities regarding their submarine fleet was changed by events in Sweden. In 2004 the Swedish. government enclosed draconian cuts of 2.5% on the RSwN, one of the casualties of these cuts were the two remaining un-upgraded A17 Vastergotland class submarines (HMS Vastergotland and HMS Halsingland) that were removed from service prior to disposal. HMS Vastergotland and HMS Halsingland had commissioned in the RSwN in 1987 and 1988, and were relatively modern submarines with plenty of operational life remaining. Furthermore they had a proven upgrade path evidenced by the fact that the other two ships of the class (later known as the Sodermanland class) had received the Stirling AIP system, new sensors and enhanced weapons.

Thanks to its ongoing links with the RSwN, Singapore became aware of the availability of the two submarines and decided that here was an excellent means of upgrading RSN submarine capabilities. An acquisition programme for the two submarines known as Northern Lights was agreed between Singapore and Sweden in 2005. Under the terms of the programme Kockums would essentially modernise the two submarines to the standard of the Sodermanland class, in parallel RSN-specified equipment would be installed and the submarines would be modified for local climatic conditions. The RSwN would provide a training package for the submarines, and a full logistic support package would be included in the contract.

RSS Archer (the former HMS Halsingland) was launched in June 2009 at Karlskrona, with RSS Swordsman (the former HMS Vastergotland) being launched at Karlskrona on 20th October 2010. Once RSS Archer and RSS Swordsman are fully operational in Singapore, the RSN will have greatly enhanced its submarine capability at a very affordable cost compared to embarking on new a construction programme.

This of course leads to speculation on the future of the Challenger class with the RSN. Certainly the Challenger class, or at least some units, can be retained in service for both operational and training missions. But they cannot be sustained indefinitely and either the RSN opts to only have the two Archer class or its looks for two more submarines. With. Sweden going ahead with the A26 submarine programme there are possibilities for Singapore. Potentially they could become a part of the Swedish programme or they could wait for RSwN disposals from its current submarine fleet.

(Asian Defense & Diplomacy Volume 18. May 2011)

AFP to buy Two F/A-18 Hornets or MiG-29 for PAF

21 Juni 2011

F/A-18 Hornet (photo : Richard Seaman)

AFP to buy 2 F-18 Hornets for PAF; Hamilton class cutter for PN

MANILA, (PNA) – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is already scouting for at least two Mig-29 Fulcrum Fighter Jets or F-18 Hornets while the Philippine Navy (PN) is window shopping for state-of-the-art frigates as part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), an AFP official said Monday.

The Mikoyan MiG-29 (Fulcrum) is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role.

Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other nations.

The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets (F/A for Fighter/Attack).

AFP Modernization Program Management Office head Brig. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, said PAF and PN is getting the huge chunk with Malacanang increasing AFP's annual modernization budget from P5 billion to P8 billion which includes the intensive training of foot soldiers.

MiG-29 (photo : Si558)

Deveraturda said the acquisition is already up for the next five years priority list of the Aquino Administration. He added the procurement and bidding are also underway for the acquisition of weaponry and logistics.

He also said the military upgrade should not be viewed as preparations for a possible conflict over the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

“We just want to provide sovereign presence in our territories,” Deveraturda told reporters.
AFP’s priorities were fighter jets, patrol helicopters with sensors, search-and-rescue helicopters, transport aircraft, and strategic sea-lift vessels, Deveraturda said.

“We plan to acquire a brand-new Hamilton class cutter for our Coast Guard,” he said.

The Spratlys is believed to sit on vast mineral resources and claimed in part or in whole by the Philippines, China, Brunei Darrusalam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The Philippine government has been vocal about its claims and protecting non-disputed areas within the EEZ based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The AFP is looking at expanding a system that started as Coast Watch South, a monitoring system for Mindanao waters.

(PNA)

Counter-Rocket Radar System Rolled Out in Afghanistan

21 Juni 2011

Australia’s Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar radar (photo : Australian DoD)

Australia’s Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar radar, known as C-RAM, been rolled out to a number of patrol bases and Forward Operating Bases across Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan. The C-RAM system provides vital warning of impending rocket attacks and mortar attacks against bases, providing precious seconds for our people to take cover, rather than being exposed in the open.

The system will roll-out to more forward operating bases over the remainder of this year. The provision of the C-RAM capability follows on from the Force Protection Review effected by former Minister for Defence Faulkner in 2009 and underlines the Government’s commitment to provide our troops with the best available equipment. Since it began operation in December last year the C-RAM system has provided ten warnings against rocket and mortar attacks resulting in no ADF casualties.

Most recently, the C-RAM system successfully detected and provided warning against indirect fire attacks on the Tarin Kot base early on 12 June and again on 14 June.

(Australian DoD)

Gorshkov to Start Sea Trials by Nov

20 Juni 2011

Admiral Gorshkov/INS Vikramaditya (photo : Militaryphotos)

Delivery of the warship as per schedule in Dec 2012

India and Russia ended their high-level defence cooperation meeting at Moscow late on Thursday with Russia assuring that the sea-based aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov will start sea trials off the Russian coast by November this year. Delivery of the ship to India will be as per schedule in December 2012.

The 45,000 tonne, 283-metre aircraft carrier will fly the naval version of the MiG 29 off its deck. The fighters are already in India and based at Goa. At present, the Indian Navy has one aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat and is building one of its own at Kochi that is to be named INS Vikrant. The development of an craft carrier is crucial as China is set to launch its first-ever such ship which is also a old Russian carrier being re-fitted.

MiG-29K naval fighter (photo : Max Bryansky)

Sources said the Indian Defence Ministry team led by Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar visited the ship yard at Sevmash in North-Western Russia to see the development. Gorshkov is being re-fitted as per the Indian requirements. Teams at the shipyard are working overtime and around the clock to meet the schedule. The cost escalation and delay in the ship had caused a strain on the 50-year-old Indo-Russian ties. It needed the intervention of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev who himself took care that all contracts are signed.

Meanwhile, a section of the Indian delegation was also shown a test flight of the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) that the two countries are co-developing. The development of design alone will cost close to $ 6 billion.

(The Tribune)

Gov't to Spend P40B Over 5 Years to Upgrade AFP

20 Juni 2011

BRP Mariano Alvarez - Cyclone class (photo : Timawa)

MANILA, Philippines - The government will spend P40 billion over the next five years to upgrade the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect maritime resources and the country’s territorial integrity, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said Sunday.

Abad said starting next year, the government will seek an P8-billion annual budget for the AFP modernization program.

“We’ll be coming up with a list of priority acquisitions, and this has to be driven by strategy. It’s the baseline capability that the Armed Forces really needs to improve on,” AFP chief of staff General Eduardo Oban said in an interview in Calamba City during the unveiling of the tallest monument to Jose Rizal to mark the national hero’s 150th birthday.

Since 2005, Congress has allotted an annual budget of only P5 billion for the military’s modernization program.

In a separate interview, AFP Modernization Program Management Office head Brigadier General Roy Deveraturda said the upgrading the military should not be viewed as preparation for possible conflict with any country over the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

“We just want to provide sovereign presence in our territories,” Deveraturda said.
“In any conflict scenario, equipment is just one factor. But we have to be clear about this upgrade. This is not being done in preparation for any conflict. It is not like we are not going for an all out war,” he explained.

Among the priority acquisitions for the AFP are patrol helicopters with sensors, search and rescue helicopters, transport aircraft, and strategic sealift vessels, Deveraturda said.

“We are also planning to acquire a brand new Hamilton class cutter for our Coast Guard,” Deveraturda said.

Oban said the American-made Hamilton cutter, scheduled for delivery sometime in the third quarter of the year, will be initially deployed to Palawan, some 80 nautical miles from Recto Bank where recent Chinese incursions occurred.

Oban said the AFP will also expand its “coast watch system” within 200 nautical miles of the country’s exclusive economic zone in Palawan.

The military currently has coast watch stations and radars in Mindanao.

(Interaksyon)